Vasant (Vas) Narasimhan, M.D., has been Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer for Novartis since February 1, 2016. He is a member of the Executive Committee of Novartis. In January 2017, he became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Novartis Foundation. Dr. Narasimhan joined Novartis in 2005 and has held numerous leadership positions in development and commercial functions. His most recent role was Global Head of Development for Novartis Pharmaceuticals, overseeing the entire general medicines pipeline. He previously served as Global Head of the Sandoz Biopharmaceuticals and Oncology Injectables business unit, overseeing the division’s biosimilars pipeline, and as Global Head of Development for Novartis Vaccines. Dr. Narasimhan has also held commercial and strategic roles at Novartis, including North America Region Head for Novartis Vaccines, and United States Country President for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. Before joining Novartis, he worked at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Narasimhan received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in the US and obtained a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He received his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago, also in the US. During and after his medical studies, he worked extensively on a range of health issues in developing countries. He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Medicine.

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